In doing some research a few days ago, I put together a list of the most common papal names. I formatted it in the style of my Tournament of Champions standings (which you can see to your right).

The list turned out to be quite popular on Facebook – even though it listed mostly “boring” papal names, like John and Gregory and Alexander. What about those really absurd Latin names from the early days of the church?

With March Madness in full swing, I decided to create a tournament to determine the most awesome pontifical name: Papal Pandemonium.

The format is simple. The 264 different popes listed in the Catholic Encyclopedia have used a total of 82 names. Removing one name gives us a nice round 81. I chose to remove Peter, the name of the first pope; by tradition, it has never been used again.

On each of the next nine days, I’ll give you nine names. You pick your favorite three; the winners will move on to the semis. Those 27 names will then be whittled down to a group of finalists, which will compete for all of the alms.

Along the way I’ll give you some fun facts about the papacy and some of the people who have worn the Fisherman’s Ring.

Without further ado, here’s your lineup for Quarterfinal #1.

Choose your three favorite papal names.

Pontian (13%, 8 Votes)

Liberius (28%, 17 Votes)

Leo (33%, 20 Votes)

Julius (23%, 14 Votes)

Hormisdas (27%, 16 Votes)

Hilarius (82%, 49 Votes)

Eutychian (37%, 22 Votes)

Caius (22%, 13 Votes)

Anicetus (18%, 11 Votes)

Total Voters: 60

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A few notes:

Many of the early dates are approximations and might be entirely wrong.✝ canonized (uses the title Saint)
* beatified (uses the title Blessed)

Anicetus✝ (155–166)

Early advocate for having Easter on a Sunday, rather than on a specific date (as with Passover). His main opponent in this effort was Saint Polycarp (whose moniker is the favorite of Megan Rafferty Barnes).

His name – Greek for unconquered – did not prevent him from being martyred.

Caius✝ (283–296)

His alleged home was demolished in 1880 for the site of the Italian Ministry of War. Probably wasn’t a martyr.

Also known as Gaius, as in Gaius Julius Caesar.

Eutychian✝ (275–283)

Greek for fortunate. One rumor says he buried 324 martyrs with his bare hands.

Also the name of a boy in Acts who died after falling out of a window while listening to Saint Paul, who resurrected him.

Hilarius✝ (461–468)

Exerted pressure on Gaul and Spain to fall in line with church doctrine. Anglicized name is Hilary.

Hormisdas✝ (514–523)

Was married before taking his vows; his son became Pope Silverius (536-537). Vandal persecution of north African Christians ended during his papacy.

Julius – used 3 times (last: 1555)

I✝

II

III

337–352

1503–1513

1550–1555

Pope Julius II was known as The Warrior Pope; he commissioned Michaelangelo’s paintings in the Sistine Chapel. His daughter, Madonna Felice, became one of the most powerful women in Rome thanks in part to her marriage into the Orsini family.

Leo – used 13 times (last: 1903)

I✝

II✝

III✝

IV✝

V

440–461

682–683

795–816

847–855

903

VI

VII

VIII

IX✝

X

928

936–939

963–964

1049–1054

1513–1521

XI

XII

XIII

1605

1823–1829

1878–1903

Leo I was the first pope to be known as the Great; Leo V was jailed by Antipope Christopher, who was only removed from the official list of popes in the 20th century.

Liberius (352–366)

Emperor Constantius II removed Liberius in 355, installing Antipope Felix II; he reversed his decision in 357. The 36th pope, Liberius was the first to not receive sainthood.

Pontian✝ (230–235)

Emperor Maximinus Thrax exiled Pontian to work in the mines of Sardinia; Pontian abdicated to allow a new pope to be elected.

Here’s your ballot again. Be sure to check back tomorrow for the winners and the next list!